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Tribune News Network
Doha
There is no denying the benefits of undertaking regular exercise – from physical to mental to emotional – which is why Qatar Foundation strives to educate young people on how adopting a healthy lifestyle can positively impact their lives.
According to Zina Chaabane, a physical education teacher at Tariq Bin Ziyad School – part of Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Pre-University Education (PUE) – health and fitness should be a major part of the school curriculum, helping to develop the minds and bodies of young people.
“Sport is one of the basics in a person’s life,” Chaabane said. “School students are at an important mental and physical development stage, and I believe that there is a positive relationship between sporting activities and improving memory and cognitive functions of the brain. It also helps teach certain social skills, about leadership and patience.”
Other benefits include increasing self-confidence, encouraging sportsmanship, creating a sense of belonging, as well as promoting respect for others, healthy competition and ownership in making decisions.
Chaabane also believes that sport contributes to nation building by strengthening feelings of unity and pride.
She said, “Sport has a fundamental and powerful role in creating feelings and building relationships with other. For example, in a football match, when two countries compete, the whole community supports their team, and this instils a love for their nation, as well as a sense of belonging.
“At Tariq Bin Ziyad School, we teach our students about Qatar’s traditions. This includes learning about simple and beautiful games that were played in the past, which promotes a love of the local heritage and a sense of belonging.”
For Hussain Feroun, a senior student at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) – a QF partner university – sport has played an important role in his life.
He said, “I believe sport is fundamental to education. Students learn first-hand how to become leaders while playing sport and then implementing these skills into their careers. It also taught me how to be an effective member of my team, sympathetic to others and maintain a positive attitude.”
“Sport is an important part of the student experience, so I believe there should be classes in school,” he said. “Sport gives students confidence, teaches them discipline, helps them communicate and builds friendships. It has made me perform better academically as I have learned about discipline and hard work – on and off the field. It has given my life balance.
“We can’t force young people to exercise, but I think there should be ways to try to encourage them to exercise by teaching people the benefits of incorporating it into their daily routine.”
Omar Hassan Al Nuaimi, a student from Qatar Leadership Academy, part of PUE, said: “Regular physical activity helps me stay healthy and avoid disease. And it reduces the risk of obesity, which is a common problem among many students today.”
Nuaimi, who swims and plays football and handball, added: “I encourage all students to play sport – inside and outside of school – and to follow a healthy lifestyle, as health is the true wealth of the human being.”
Doha
There is no denying the benefits of undertaking regular exercise – from physical to mental to emotional – which is why Qatar Foundation strives to educate young people on how adopting a healthy lifestyle can positively impact their lives.
According to Zina Chaabane, a physical education teacher at Tariq Bin Ziyad School – part of Qatar Foundation’s (QF) Pre-University Education (PUE) – health and fitness should be a major part of the school curriculum, helping to develop the minds and bodies of young people.
“Sport is one of the basics in a person’s life,” Chaabane said. “School students are at an important mental and physical development stage, and I believe that there is a positive relationship between sporting activities and improving memory and cognitive functions of the brain. It also helps teach certain social skills, about leadership and patience.”
Other benefits include increasing self-confidence, encouraging sportsmanship, creating a sense of belonging, as well as promoting respect for others, healthy competition and ownership in making decisions.
Chaabane also believes that sport contributes to nation building by strengthening feelings of unity and pride.
She said, “Sport has a fundamental and powerful role in creating feelings and building relationships with other. For example, in a football match, when two countries compete, the whole community supports their team, and this instils a love for their nation, as well as a sense of belonging.
“At Tariq Bin Ziyad School, we teach our students about Qatar’s traditions. This includes learning about simple and beautiful games that were played in the past, which promotes a love of the local heritage and a sense of belonging.”
For Hussain Feroun, a senior student at Carnegie Mellon University in Qatar (CMU-Q) – a QF partner university – sport has played an important role in his life.
He said, “I believe sport is fundamental to education. Students learn first-hand how to become leaders while playing sport and then implementing these skills into their careers. It also taught me how to be an effective member of my team, sympathetic to others and maintain a positive attitude.”
“Sport is an important part of the student experience, so I believe there should be classes in school,” he said. “Sport gives students confidence, teaches them discipline, helps them communicate and builds friendships. It has made me perform better academically as I have learned about discipline and hard work – on and off the field. It has given my life balance.
“We can’t force young people to exercise, but I think there should be ways to try to encourage them to exercise by teaching people the benefits of incorporating it into their daily routine.”
Omar Hassan Al Nuaimi, a student from Qatar Leadership Academy, part of PUE, said: “Regular physical activity helps me stay healthy and avoid disease. And it reduces the risk of obesity, which is a common problem among many students today.”
Nuaimi, who swims and plays football and handball, added: “I encourage all students to play sport – inside and outside of school – and to follow a healthy lifestyle, as health is the true wealth of the human being.”
